Photographer of the Month: Jessy Eykendorp

Some photos instantly transport you to a place you never knew existed, and instantly want to be. Jessy Eykendorp takes and shares those kind of images. Before discovering her work I thought of Bali as one other interesting sounding place in the world. I didn’t know much about the place: it really wasn’t on my radar. But, thanks to Jessy Eykendorp’s amazing visions, Bali has moved up my list of islands I really really want to visit! More than just a photographer, I’m very pleased to introduce you to a woman who is both an artist and a spokeperson for her island home; the talented Jessy Eykendorp.

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Beratan Sunrise

* How did you get interested in photography?

I was introduced to photography at a very young age by my Dad. Using his analog camera I took a lot of photos. They were all pure snapshots :)

Magical. Songan A village, Lake Batur, Kintamani, Bali

Mengening beach, Bali, Indonesia

* How long have you been a photographer?

It's a tough question :) I've earned money from my photographs since I was using my Point & Shoot Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 in (2006). Then one day in 2007, a friend offer me a job to photograph a wild animal in it's natural habitat on Sumatra Island. I was terrified. I had never used a DSLR and never had a greater responsibility; to earn money for a real photography assignment! I didn't want to screw up this once-in-a-life-time assigment so I had no choice but to accept and do the best i could. There is nothing better than to make a living from doing what you love :)

Pererenan Beach

A Woman Left Lonely. Pererenan Beach, Canggu, Bali

* What is your favorite place to photograph? Or subject?

Anywhere in nature! I love photographing landscape/seascape, and animals. Living in Bali, Indonesia, I was quickly moved by the great landscapes that exist all around me.

Good morning Kedisan

Pura Batu Bolong -Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia

* How can photographers help change/impact the world, while they are traveling?

As a photographer, the camera is our tool of expression. It's our messenger. By providing inspiration and accenting certain things with a profound message we can help change/impact the world.

* Are there rules in other countries people need to be aware of about who or what you can or cannot shoot?

I never really found that in Indonesia.

Pura Batubolong - Tanahlot, Bali

Mengening Beach - Canggu, Bali

* Any photography tips you want to share?

Here are some tips for landscape photography:

- Learn to be patient. Landscape photography is not like other types of photography where the conditions are always the same (portrait, macro, etc). Several things can affect your landscape photographs, and conditions will often times not be ideal.

- Always watch your histogram to ensure that you are not blowing out the highlights or any of the color channels. Try to expose to the right of the histogram as much as possible so that you can catch the most detail in your files.

- Shoot in RAW, and learn to use a RAW editor.

- Get to your location early, so that you have plenty of time to find a good composition. There is nothing worse than getting to a location at the last minute when the sunset is amazing, and not being able to come up with a good composition.

- Just have fun and enjoy wherever it is that you chose to be at the time. You won’t always get a good photo, but I think it’s also important to just enjoy being out there as much as possible.

Beautiful Ijen

A true passion that burns within your soul is one that can never be put out.
Sunrise at Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater), East Java, Indonesia

you know what it means. Tanahlot, Bali

* Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

For me, the biggest challenge isn’t the technical part, but just learning to be patient, and understanding that the good light and conditions don’t happen every single time you go out to make photos. Sometimes, I have to go to a location several times before everything comes together properly. Passion, practice and patience, these are my 3 fave words!

Daylight opera in Batur - Lake and Batur volcano, Kintamani, Bali

Madakaripura: The Hidden Legend

Madakaripura Waterfall, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

I will live with you in mind. Ijen Panorama
Ijen Crater, East Java, Indonesia